Chrysler Corporation

Daimlerchrysler Corporation

Chrysler Group LLC

John C Rust

Fred Daris

Randall J Ryszewski

Michael A Warnez

Shawn Robert Williams

William Mar

Joseph G Lemmon

Robert P Kuhr

Brian R Pakulsky

Babak R Famili

Thomas F Soltys

Risto C Trendov

An overhead trim system for a motor vehicle has a mounting bracket coupled to an overhead area of the motor vehicle and an integrally formed trim member. The integrally formed trim member is configured to extend along a selected length of a perimeter of the overhead area and defines a hinge. The integrally formed trim member is coupled to the mounting bracket to define a cavity configured for receipt of an airbag module. The hinge in a first position is capable of retaining the airbag module within the cavity and in a second position is capable of enabling the airbag module to expand.

Integrated overhead side airbag module

An airbag canister vent is attached to or resides within an airbag module of an automobile. The module has a housing, within which resides a gas generator, an airbag, a tether cord, and a housing vent valve configured to close in accordance with the tether length that connects the airbag and the housing vent valve. The tension or any slack in the tether is governed by the discharge distance of the airbag from the canister. The canister vent may be a rotating disk that gradually closes as the airbag moves toward a seat occupant or a movable ball valve with a tether pin that remains open until the bag is discharged far enough from the canister to pull a tether pin from the ball causing the pressurized gas in the canister to forcibly lodge the ball against the vent hole wall thereby forming a seal and closing the valve.

Venting canister for airbag system

An inflatable interior panel for a passenger vehicle includes a non-inflatable section, and an inflatable section having a peripheral portion adjacent the non-inflatable section. The inflatable section is isolated from the non-inflatable section wherein the inflatable section is not in fluid communication with the non-inflatable section. The inflatable section includes a base wall including a slack material section enabling inflation of the inflatable section, and an inboard wall connected to the base wall to define an interior of the inflatable section. When the interior is pressurized the inboard wall is moved away from the base wall to an extended position with respect to the relatively stationary non-inflatable section.

Inflatable interior panel for a vehicle

A passenger airbag assembly is provided with a guide chute. The chute guides a deploying airbag to a door in the instrument panel. The door comprises steel inserts molded into the material of the door. The steel inserts include three slots spaced apart to absorb stress. To reinforce the hinges of the door, a guide or reinforcement ledge is provided at the sides. To reinforce the ledge, ramps are provided on the underside of the ledge.

Passenger airbag assembly

An airbag cover assembly comprises a molded plastic airbag door hinged to a molded plastic instrument panel to cover an airbag opening in the instrument panel. At least one hinge member is integrally molded on a portion of the door. At least one hinge member is integrally molded on a portion of the instrument panel. The hinge members are shaped to define aligned channels. A hinge pin extends through the aligned panels to pivotally mount the door.

Airbag cover assembly with integrated hinge

An instrument panel assembly comprises an instrument panel wall having an opening through which an air bag is deployed. The opening is normally closed by a pair of doors. Each door has a metal door panel provided with an integral hinge extending along the curved edge of the opening. The hinge is curved to match the curve of the edge. The hinge is slotted at spaced points along its length. A plastic pad covers the swinging edge portion of each door panel. The pads and slots resist kinking of the hinges when the doors swing open.

Passenger air bag door

A panel for an automotive vehicle comprising a wall having an opening, and an integral closure normally closing the opening and behind which an airbag is adapted to be stored. The closure comprises a pair of panels each connected to the wall of the instrument panel by an integral, flexible hinge. The panels are capable of swinging open in response to the force of impact of the airbag when the airbag inflates to that the inflating airbag may deploy through the opening. The hinges each have a trough-like arcuate portion adapted to absorb at least some of the force of impact of the inflating airbag and relieve stress and increase flexibility along the hinge to resist breaking of the doors when they swing open.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester Hills, MI, United States of America

John C Rust